In a statement to the Post, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said the $917,000 in furniture purchases were part of a plan devised under the Obama administration in order to replace aging pieces.

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Fred Ames, the assistant trade representative for administration, said the plans have been underway since before 2014, and have been overseen by career staff at the Trade Representative's Office.

"The investments are the culmination of a long-range, planned project that began before 2014 to install wall systems in work spaces and replace two-decade-old office furniture in two buildings to achieve improved functionality and gain much-needed additional office space," Ames said in a statement.

"Ambassador Lighthizer did not direct these expenditures, which were planned and executed consistent with career staff’s spending authority," Ames added. "All furnishings were acquired through Executive Office of the President contracting procedures. In my opinion as a senior career official responsible for developing and implementing this project, these funds were critical for continuing to execute effectively USTR’s mission."

Former Obama administration officials told the Post, however, that they never signed off on the plan to remodel the offices, with one former aide telling the news outlet that such a claim is "laughable."

Among the purchases made, according to the Post, were 60 sit-stand desks for $18,500; moveable wooden wall systems that came in around $290,000; and 90 office chairs that cost $54,000.

The largest sum was paid to Washington, D.C.-based Executive Furniture, which received around $475,000.